Mechanism for supplying yarn and thread to the needles of knitting machines



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TmE G CT Q May 9, 1944.

T.C.BROMLEY ETAL May 9, 1944.

SUPPLYING YARN AND THREAD Es oF KNITTING MACHINES MECHANIS'M FOR TO THENEEDL Filed Sept. 28,- 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm y AToRn/fy. f

EY ET AL MEGHANISM FOR SUPPLYING YARN A 2 ND THREAD MACHINES 4Sheets-Sheet 3 T. C. BROML To THE NEEDLES 0F KNITTING yMaly 9, 1944.

Filed Sept. 28. 1942 May 9, 1944, T. c. BRoMLEY ETAL MECHANISM FORSUPPLYING YARN AND THREAD TO THE.NEEDLES OF KNITTING MACHINES FiledSept. 28, 1942 4 sheets-sheet 4 wvEfvroR's,

/MWKJW ATTORNEY,

Patented May 9, 1944 MECHANISM FOR SUPPLYING YARN AND THREAD TO THENEEDLES OF KNITTING MACHINES Thomas Charles Bromley and ArthurShortland, Leicester, England, assignors to Mellor Bromley & Co.Limited, Leicester, England, a company of Great Britain ApplicationSeptember 28, 1942, Serial No. 459,996 In Great Britain September 29,194:1

21 Claims.

This invention relates to mechanism for supplying yarn and thread to theneedles of knitting machines, more especially, though not eX- clusively,circular knitting machines of the type furnished with independentneedles.

The invention has for its object the provision of improved mechanism forthis purpose adapted to supply yarn or thread periodically in additionto or instead of a main yarn or thread, as for example to provide drawthreads, spliced areas or/and elastic areas (by means of rubber thread)in knitted fabric or articles, or to increase the rate of production offabric or articles, or/and to supply a plurality of contrasting, e. g.,differently coloured, yarns or threads interchangeably for producinghorizontal or vertical stripes and other fancy elects in knitted fabricr articles, according to requirements.

Mechanism of the improved form may be used suchwise that the yarn orthread supplied thereby is either knitted by the needles or is run intothe knitted fabric or articles without being formed into loops orstitches, i. e., as a non-knitted weft.

For brevity the expression yarn will be hereinafter used as designatingyarn or thread of any kind which may be used for the purpose intended.

According to the present invention the mechanism provided includes as anessential feature, for operation at a feeder oi a knitting machine, amovable gripping device adapted normally to hold yarn in a non-feedingposition, to be moved, while retaining its grip on the yarn, to take thesame to the appropriate needles, and subsequently to return to theoriginal position to re-engage the yarn when the supply of that yarn tothe needles is to be interrupted, temporarily or indefinitely.

By the expression non-feeding position is meant a position in which theyarn is normally withheld from the needles.

The said gripping device is adapted to be opened and closed to enable itto receive and grip the yarn, and means are provided for automaticallyopening and closing the device at the appropriate times. In onearrangement the said device may consist of relatively movable parts, oneor each spring loaded, so that the device is normally closed forgripping the yarn, and opening means may be so arranged in proximity tothe non-feeding position as to act upon and release the movable part orparts suchwise that the device is quickly opened and closed to receiveand grip the yarn. In such case the yarn may be pulled from the grippingdevice upon being engaged by the needles in consequence of the movementof the device to present the yarn to the needles. In the preferredarrangement, however, the said device consists of relatively movableparts, not spring controlled, and opening and closing means are sodisposed in relation to the said device that one or each of the saidparts is positively actuated and the device is consequently opened andclosed as it nears the limits of the forward and return movementsrespectively. With this construction and arrangement the device remainsopen after it has released the yarn and until it is required to reengagethe yarn.

Provision is preferably made for clipping the re-engaged yarn when thegripping device closes upon it. Such provision may be made in or on thedevice itself, for instance the aforesaid relatively movable parts maybe provided with cutting edges, or means may be provided in associationwith the device and appropriately operated, e. g., like the deviceitself, for this purpose.

Conveniently the gripping device comprises a bill substantially likethat of a knot tying device as used for tying together the ends of yarnsin yarn winding operations, said bill being associated with a suitablecarrier movably mounted in a bracket or like support so as to enable therequired movements to be imparted to the bill, which, however, incontradistinction to a knot tying bill, does not rotate although capableoi opening and closing to release and to engage and clip the yarn.

The gripping device is employed in association with a yarn guide, eitherxed or movable, through which the yarn runs after it has been introducedto and taken by the needles as aforesaid. That is to say, after the yarnhas been pulled from or released by the gripping device it feeds intothe needles by simply running through the guide which also serves tohold the yarn or present it in a suitable position for re-engagement bythe gripping device when the supply of that particular yarn is to beinterrupted.

When a movable guide is provided this is operated so as to be moved, e.g., pivotally or slidably, from the non-feeding position to a ieedingposition, vandvice versa, in timed relation with the movements of thegripping device so that the length of yarn extending between the guideand the gripping device is laid close to the stems oi the needles andthe length of yarn running between the guide and the needles is disposedin a favourable position for re-engagement by the gripping device whenit and the guide revert to the non-feeding position. l'n a machinefurnished with latch needles the yarn is laid above the closing latchesof the appropriate needles at the feeding location so that it is caughtup by the latches and thus securely taken by the needles.

According to another feature of the invention the gripping device isarranged so as to be movable across the stems of the needles and, duringsuch movement, also to be movable towards the needles, and in thereverse manner, i. e., away from the needles and across the needles,when it is returned to the non-feeding position.

In a particular illustrative embodiment of the invention the grippingdevice is carried by a member arranged for combined sliding and turningmovement in a bracket or like support.

The operation of the gripping device is effected by means of a springand a cam or cams on a shaft, chain or drum or equivalent means, or bymeans of cams or equivalent means only, and suitable timing orcontrolling mechanism.

When the associated yarn guide is movable, this may be operated eitherby or from the gripping device or an associated part with or without theaid of a spring, or by independent means similar to those adopted foroperating the gripping device and suitable intermediate mechanism.

As will be understood, while there may be only one gripping device andan associated yarn guide at a feeder for supplying a single yarn to theneedles as hereinbefore mentioned, two or more of such devices andguides may be provided at one feeder in conjunction with operating meansof the form aforesaid designed to effect operation of the grippingdevices, and the associated guides, when movable, for supplying yarns,interchangeably or a plurality of yarns at the same time, to theneedles, accord` ing to requirements.

Controlling means of any appropriate forni adopted in knitting machinesmay be provided for timing the operation of the gripping device ordevices, and the guide or guides when movable, according torequirements.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readilycarried into practical effect, various constructional examples andspecic adaptations thereof will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings as applied to a circular knitting machine of therotary needle cylinder type furnished with independent latch needles.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a side elevational view of one constructional form of theimproved yarn supplying mechanism,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same as viewed generally in the directionof the arrow A in Figure l and shown in relation to the needle circle ofthe machine,

Figure 3 shows a cam and lever for effecting operation of the grippingdevice of the said mechanism,

Figure l is a detail plan view show ing a modiiied and particularlysimple form of the yarn supplying mechanism,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view depicting means for carrying,controlling and actuating the gripping device, and showing the manner inwhich an associated normally iixed yarn guide may be displaceablymounted for a purpose hereinafter to be explained,

Figure 6 is a detail plan view as seen in the direction of the arrow Din Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a plan view of a yarn changing mechanism in the form of atwo-colour striper constructed in acordance with this invention,

Figure S is a side view of the same as seen in the direction of thearrow E in Figure '7,

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail side elevational view of the yarn guidecontrolling means provided at the free end of the bracket of the saidyarn changing mechanism,

Figure l0 is a perspective view including the cams for controlling theinterchangeable yarn guides of this mechanism,

Figure ll is a plan view of a still further example in the form of acombined two colour striper and splicing mechanism,

Figure l2 is a side view of the various connections for operating thiscombination, and

Figure i3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the manner inwhich the three yarn guides of the last mentioned example are mounted.

Wherever possible, the parts are designated by similar referencecharacters throughout the drawings.

The simple mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a singlegripping device B associated with a movable yarn guide C wherein thegripping device is in the nature of a bill, of the form hereinbeforereferred to, consisting of an inner fixed part 2 mounted between twospaced limbs 3a of a U-shaped outer part 3 which is pivotally mountedupon the said xed part so as to be movable to open and close the bill.The pivoted outer part 3 is formed with an enlarged portion 3b (Figurel) projecting therefrom. The bill is mounted on or formed with a neck B1carried by an angularly bent portion la of a carrier rod 4 which is inturn. slidably and rotatably mounted in a bracket 5 adapted to beattached to any suitable part of the knitting machine, and the yarnguide C is secured by a screw 6 to a spindle 1 pivoted in this bracketnear the free end thereof so that the guide can be turned towards andfrom the needles 8 as will be hereinafter more fully explained.Conveniently the bracket 5 is bored for reception of the carrier rod 4and has a split boss 5a at one end whereby it can be xed by screws 9 ona po-st or like support such as I0 transversely to the stems of theneedles 8. As shown, the bracket extends in the direction of a tangentor substantially so to the needle circle NC (Figure 2) so that its freeend is disposed more or less towards the needles 8. At its side nearestto the needles the bracket 5 is recessed or hollowed out suchwise as topermit of turning movement of the bentl portion 4a of the carrier rod 4within the bracket. Attached by screws'll to the top of the bracket E isa plate l2 having formed therein a cam slot i3 through which the neck Blprojects from the carrier rod 4 and which for a portion of its length isstraight and extends longitudinally of said bracket, and for theremainder is inclined or curved so that it deviates from thelongitudinal direction suchwise that, when the bracket is in position inthe machine, the curved part of the slot extends more or less towardsthe needle circle NC (see Figure 2). Thus when the carrier rod l ismoved axially in the bracket 5 it is also turned therein about its axisby reason of the inclination or curvature of the slot I3. 'Ihe pivotedyarn guide C is mounted adjacent to the slot.

Fixed stops I4 and I5 are provided on the plate I2 at opposite ends ofthe slot I3 for contact with the enlarged portion 3b of the movable part3 of the bill so as to open and close the same. Conveniently, and asshown, the material cut from the plate to provide the slot is bent up toconstitute the two stops. In the non-feeding position indicated inFigure 1 and in full lines in Figure 2 the bill VB is located adjacentto the yarn guide C with the movable part 3 thereof in engagement withthe adjacent stop I so that the bill is closed and grips the end y1 ofthe yarn y threadedA through the guide. With this construction andarrangement when the carrier rod 4 is moved endwise away from the freeend of the bracket 5 the bill B, still closed, is initially moved in asubstantially straight path across the stems of the needles 8 at thefeeder and then, by reason of the deviation of the cam slot I3, the rodis turned in consequence of continued movement endwise so that compoundmovement across the stems of the needles and towards the latter isimparted to the bill B whereby a length y2 (see Figure 2) of the yarn isdrawn through the guide and swung inwards so as to be introduced to theneedles 8. The mechanism is positioned so that the said length of yarnis laid across the appropriate needles between the hooks and the closinglatches 8a. As the bill B approaches the end of this movement theenlarged portion 3b of the outer part 3 which projects rearwards fromthe bill comes into contact with the opening stop I4 whereby as theresult of continued movement of the bill to the end of the slot I3 thebill is opened to release the yarn, the latter being drawn in by theneedles and thereafter feeding thereto by simply running through theyarn guide C. The bill remains in this position until movement of thecarrier rod 4 in the opposite direction whereupon the bill B, stillopen, is moved in the reverse manner back to the non-feeding position.As the bill nears the end of its return movement the xed and movableparts thereof straddle the yarn running between the guide C and theneedles 8, and the enlarged portion 3b of the movable part 3, nowprojecting forwards from the fixed part 2, comes into contact with theclosing stop I5 so that as the bill moves to the limit ofl this movementit is closed thereby clipping the yarn y and gripping the end y1 whichprojects from the guide C thus holding it in this non-feeding positionuntil the cycle of operations is repeated. The guide CV is operable bymeans of the angular-ly bent portion 4a of the carrier rod through themedium of a toothed sector I5 pivoted at one end upon a pin I1 screwedinto the bracket 5, and a co-operating pinion I8 fast on the spindle 'Iaforesaid. The toothed sector I6 is accommodated within a recessed part5b of the bracket covered by the plate I2 and is formed with a hump orcam Ita disposed in the path of the bent portion 4a. The said sector,moreover, is controlled by a small compression spring I9 (Figure 2) sothat as the gripping device is moved away from the nonfeeding positionthe toothed sector is moved under the influence of the spring and turnsthe guide C towards the needlesl In this way the length of yarnextending between the guide and the gripping device is carried closer tothe needles. Upon reverse movement of the gripping device the bentportion la of the carrier rod eventually engages the hump or cam Ita andpresses the toothed sector i6 back against the action of the spring I9whereby the guide C is turned away from'the needles to position thelength of yarn able position to be clipped and so that the end y1 ofyarn extending from the guide is held in the non-feeding position by thegripping device preparatory to further action. Alternatively, the guideC may be operated independently of the gripping device from either thesame source or a different source but in a similar manner throughappropriate intermediate mechanism which may include a cam operated bypawl and ratchet gear or other intermittently operated mechanism, and atoothed sector or rack and pinion as in one of the specific exampleshereinafter to be described as appertaining to a yarn changingmechanism.

In this particular example oi the invention the carrier rod 4 is movedendwise to move' the bill B away from the non-feeding position by meansof a tension spring 2S arranged beneath the bracket 5. As shown inFigure l, this spring is anchored at one end to a pin 2l projectingdownwards from the carrier rod and at its other end to a pin 22 fixed inthe bracket. The pin 2l works in a slot or gap formed in the saidbracket. The rod 4 is moved endwise in the opposite direction by atwo-armed lever 23 pivoted at 24 between lugs 25 in a suitable positionin the machine and actuated by or from a cam or cams such as thatindicated at 26 in Figure l on a shaft or drum appropriately mounted inthe machine and lsuitably driven according to requirements. At one en-dthe lever 23 impin-ges on the relevant end cf the rod 4, or, as shown,on a screw 2l therein, and at the other end' makes Contact with a pushrod 28 in turn engaged by another pivoted lever 29 acted upon `by thecam or cams. Alternatively, the end of the lever 23 remote from thecarrier rod may be litted with a roller for contact with the said cam orcams.

This constructional example of the'invention may be used for severalpurposes. For example, it may be applied to a single feeder machine forsupplying a splicing yarn or contrasting yarn, e. g., coloured orelastic, in conjunction with the main yarn. In this respect the grippingdevice and associated mechanism may be employed for producing sectionalspliced areas or contrasting or elastic areas, e. g., vertical stripesor blocks, in which case a cam having an operative portion or portionsof appropriate angular extent, e. one like that shown at 3! in Figure 3of substantially 186, may be provided on a shaft such as 3| driven intime with the rotation of the needles so that the gripping device ismoved from and back to the non-feeding position once or more than onceeach revolution of the needles to supply the splicing or contrastingyarn to the desired number, e. g.. substantially half, of the needlesand then to re engage and clip the yarn in the manner described so thatthe remainder of the needles take the main yarn only. As will be seen inFigure 3, the cam 3@ is arranged ior Contact with a roller 32 carried bya pivoted lever 33. and this lever is intended to be employed in lieu ofthe lever 23 Jfor actuating the carrier rod 4. Any appropriate means maybe provided for automatically controlling the caro. shait or drum or thelever so as automatically to render same operative and inoperativeperiodically in order to restrict the splicing, contrasting or elasticeffects to desired areas lengthwise of 'the knitted fabric, Forinstance, provision may be made on the existing timing chain ol' themachine or on an auxiliary timing chain for positioning the Vcam runningbetween it and the needles 8 in a favouractuated lever in and out ofcontact with the cam or cams or for starting and stopping the cam shaftor drum at required times. Accordingly, the said example may beadvantageously applied to a circular seamless hosiery knitting machinefor splicing the foot bottoms and heel and toe pouches of stockings,half hose and socks, and for high splicing, i. e., at the back above theheels, in the case of stockings.

By employing a graduated cam or adjustable cam means and appropriateintermediate connections suitably controlled, spliced areas of graduatedform can be produced. Alternatively, by employing a cam drum or a chainwith cam bits thereon or equivalent means suitably racked andcontrolled, the gripping device may be moved from and back to thenon-feeding position more than once per revolution of the needles so asto produce circumferentially spaced spliced, contrasting or elasticareas, or the return movement may be delayed for as long as desired sothat the yarn is supplied to the needles for a succession of courses, asfor example for splicing welts and tops of stockings, or effecting otherall round splicing, or producing horizontal or ring stripes or elasticsections.

The main yarn may be supplied through a fixed guide on the free end ofthe bracket. Instead of supplying a splicing or additional yarn asaforesaid the gripping device may be used for substituting areinforcing, i, e., coarser or heavier, yarn or other contrasting orelastic yarn for the main yarn. Moreover, the said example may be usedfor substituting a draw yarn for a main yarn, and by adopting a camdrum, chain, or equivalent. or intermediate connections suitablyoperated and controlled, the gripping device may be operatedperiodically as, for example, in a machine for knitting gloves, toproduce partial courses for thumb holes, or, in a machine for knittingfootwear, garments, garment lengths, and other pieces of fabric orarticles, to produce parting courses between successive articles. Ineach of these cases, if the additional yarn is supplied at the samefeeding location as the main yarn the latter may be supplied and cut offas required by means of an arrangement similar to that adopted forsupplying the substitute yarn and appropriately controlled, or a movableyarn guide, a trapping and severing device and controlling means of anyusual form employed in circular knitting machines may be adopted forthis purpose.

In a further application of this example of the invention, however, itmay form, in conjunction with an auxiliary knitting cam system, anauxiliary feeder for supplying an additional yarn, conjointly with amain yarn, i. e., a draw yarn or a contrasting or elastic yarn, asaforesaid, or a yarn of the same kind as the main yarn, for increasingthe rate of production of knitted fabric, as, for example, in knittingthe leg` and foot portions of footwear in a seamless hose machine, thegripping device, and the stitch cam or some other appropriate cammovably arranged, being placed under the control of a cam drum. chain orequivalent suitably arranged and operated so as to render the auxiliaryfeeder operative for knitting, and inoperative so as to stop the feedingof the yarn and avoid casting off, at the required times.

An even more simple form of the improved yarn supplying mechanism isshown in Figure 4. In general, this mechanism is similar to that alreadydescribed with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and accordingly it is onlyconsidered necessary to mention the constructional diierences. Thesingle gripping device B in this instance consists of twospaced xedparts 34 and an inner part 35 pivotally mounted between the xed partswith an enlarged portion 35a projecting therefrom. The bill is mountedon or formed with a neck B1 extending at right angles from a carrier rod36 which is slidably and rotatably mounted in a bracket 31, and the yarnguide C1 in this example is fixedly mounted on this bracket. The bracket31 is mainly of tubular or hollow cylindrical form and is itself formedwith a cam slot 38 through which the neck B1 projects. For a portion ofits length this slot extends straight from the free end of the bracketand for the remainder is inclined or curved as in the previous example.The yarn guide Cl is xedly mounted at the said free end of the bracket.A stop 39 is xed on the bracket 31 near the free end so as to extendacross the slot and another stop 40 is fixed on the bracket near theinner end of the slot 38 for contact with the enlarged portion 35a ofthe inner movable part 35 of the bill so as to open and close the same.The stops 39 and 49 may be adjustably fixed on the bracket 31 so as toenable the opening and closing of the bill to be effected precisely.Thus, for example, the stop 39 in Figure 4 consists of a flat membermounted for turning movement on a pin 4I inserted in the bracket and xedafter adjustment by a screw 42 inserted into the bracket through a slotin the said member. The stop 40 may be made similarly adjustable.

In this example of the invention the carrier rod 3B may be of theconstruction shown in Figure 5. That is to say it may be moved endwisein one direction, e, g., to move the bill B from the nonfeedingposition, by means of a compression spring 43 housed in a bore 44 in therod and abutting against a socket or an end piece such as 45 fitted in asleeve or collar 46 applied to the free end of the bracket. The rod ismoved endwise in the opposite direction by any of the various meanshereinbefore mentioned, e. g., by a two-armed pivoted lever 23 actuatedby or from a cam or cams on a shaft or drum appropriately mounted in themachine and suitably driven according to requirements. At one end thelever 23 impinges on a screw 41 in the bored rod 35.

When a fixed guide is provided in the bracket for the additional orsubstitute yarn or/and the main yarn as aforesaid the said guide or eachguide may be displaceably mounted so as to facilitate threading up.Conveniently for this purpose the end piece 45 in the particularconstruction illustrated in Figure 5 is tted slidably and rotatably inthe socket, sleeve or collar 46 applied to the end of the bracket 31 andthe guide Cl is provided with a stem 48 inserted into the end piecethrough a bayonet or L-shaped slot 49 in the socket, sleeve or collarand is either fixed in the end piece 45 by means of a screw 59 or isscrewed into the end piece. As shown in Figure 6, one part 49a of theslot 49 extends axially and the other part 49h extends circumferentiallyof the socket, sleeve or collar 46. Normally the guide has its stem 48located in the axially extending part 49a of the slot in which it isheld by the spring 43 abutting against the end piece 45. By pushing theend piece axially into the bracket 31 the stem 48 of the guide isbrought into line with the circumferentially extending part 492) of theslot so that the guide can then be turned away from the needles forthreading. On the reverse movement of the guide the stem thereofeventually snaps back into the part 49a of the slot under the action ofthe spring.

The yarn changing mechanism illustrated in Figures 7-9 is in the form ofa two-colour striper in which a bill B constructed, arranged andoperating in a similar manner to that hereinbefore specificallydescribed co-operates with two movable yarn guides, one, C1, of which iscarried by a spindle l pivoted in the bracket 3l and the other, C2, iscarried by a sleeve 52 rotatably mounted on the said spindle. Foroperating these guides pinions 53 and 5d are provided on the spindle 5land sleeve 52 respectively and two-armed toothed sectors 55 and 55, onefor each pinion, are pivotablly mounted on a pin 5l inserted in thebracket 3l with their toothed arms respectively in mesh with the pinions53 and 5d and their other arms connected to springs 58 (Figure 7). Apair of cams 59, 55 and an attached ratchet wheel 5I are rotatablymounted co-axially on a spindle 52 inserted in the bracket suchwise thatthe cams respectively oppose the free arms of the sectors 55 and 56which are held in contact with the cams by the associated springs 58. Asshown more clearly in Figure 1G, each of these cams has tWo convexperipheral portions 53 and intermediate concave peripheral portions 5and said cams are so arranged relatively that the convex portions of onecorrespond in angular position with the concave portions but overlap theconvex portions of the other. The cams 59 and 55 are rotated, step bystep, to oppose the convex and concave portions of each alternately tothe corresponding sector by means of spring controlled pawls 55 and t6formed and arranged .suchwise as to operate one (55) with pushing actionon the ratchet Wheel 5l, on one side of the axis, and the other (65)with pulling action on the wheel on the opposite side of the axis.Conveniently, and as shown, the pawls are both pivoted at 5l on a link58 in turn pivoted at @it on the bracket or on an adjacent fixture i5(see Figure '7) and connected by a pin and slot connection ll, 'f2 tothe rod 35 which carries the bill B. By reason of this construction andarrangement, when the bill B is in the non-feeding position shown aconvex portion 53 of the cam Si? is opposed to the relevant arm of thesector while the corresponding concave portion 64 of the other cam 59 isopposed to the similar arm of the other sector 55 whereby the guide C2is located in the non-feeding position in which the end y1 bf yarnextending therefrom is held by the bill B, and the other guide C1 islocated in the feeding position. When the rod 35 is moved ashereinbefore described to cause the bill to take the held yarn to the'needles the pulling pawl 66 acts on the ratchet wheel Si to rotate thecams 59 and 60 but the angular extent of the said convex and concaveportions is such that no movement is imparted to the guides. On thereverse movement of the said rod, however, the pushing pawl 65 acts uponthe ratchet wheel to rotate the cams another step whereupon the arm ofthe sector 55 previously opposed by a convex portion 53 of the cam 6G isopposed to the following concave portion of the same cam, while the armof the sector 55 previously opposed by a concave portion 55 of the othercam 59 is acted upon by the following convex portion of this, camwhereby the sectors are moved so as to cause the guides C1 and C2 tochange places. Since, however, the convex portions of one cam overlapsomewhat the convex portions of the other cam, the guides bothmomentarily occupy the non-feeding position at the same time, i, e.,

the one takes up the non-feeding position just before the other is movedfrom this position. To enable each guide when moved from the feedingposition to the non-feeding position to hold its yarn in the sameposition for engagement by the bill B on its return movement, one of theguides, i. e., C1, is displaceably arranged so that the eye or throatthrough which the yarn is threaded can be moved into and out of theplane in which the bill B moves and the other guide C2 is springcontrolled or, as shown, made exible so that it can yield when the guideC1 is returned to the non-feeding position before the guide C2 leavesthis position. The displaceable guide C1 is controlled by a cam and aspring, or a grooved or slotted part appropriately shaped. Convenientlyfor this purpose, and as shown more clearly in Figure 9, the spindle 5lis provided with a bifurcated part 'i3 in which the guide C1 is pivotedcentrally upon a pin ld, and a plate 'F5 with an angular slot 75atherein is attached to the bracket 31 adjacent to the spindle forreception of the free end of the said guide whereby as the latter isturned to and from the non-feeding position the eye or throat is movedinto and out of the plane in which the bill B moves. When the guide C1reaches the non-feeding position, the eye or throat thereof pressesagainst the eye or throat of the other guide C2 and the latter thereuponyields before moving to the feeding position. In this way both yarns aresupplied to a few needles 8 so as to eilect a join before the yarns arechanged, and the yarn to be withheld from knitting is positionedfavourably for engagement and severance by the bill B as the latternears the limit of its return movement. Thus, by movement of the billfrom and back to the non-feeding position at appropriate intervalsdetermined by cams on a shaft,` chain, drum or equivalent meansappropriately prearranged or/and operated and controlled, the yarns canbe fed to the needles alternately for partial, single or a plurality ofcourses so as to produce vertical or horizontal striping effects, checksand like pattern or design formations. In this form of the invention thestops 15 and 11 for opening and closing the bill B are formed on a plate18 fixed over the toothed sectors 55 and 56.

The further example of the invention depicted in Figures 11, 12 and 1.3yis in the form of a combined two colour striper and splicing mechanismin which there are provided two gripping devices (bills) B and B1 andthree movable guides C1, C2 and C3. One of the gripping devicescooperates with the guides for the coloured yarns, and the othergripping device co-operates with the guide for the splicing yarn. Thegripping devices B1 and B2 are constructed and arranged as hereinbeforeparticularly described but the levers such as that indicated at 23 inFigure 12, which levers act upon the carrier rods 35 and 351 in thesupporting bracket 3l, are in turn pivotally connected respectively tothe arms of bifurcated levers such as 'i9 the prongs 19a of which areacted upon at appropriate times by cams on a drum 80. The three guidesare rotatably arranged co-axially for movement towards and from theneedles. Conveniently, and as shown in Figure 13, one of the guides, C1,for the coloured yarns is attached to a spindle 8l which is fitted witha pinion 82 and rotatably mounted in the bracket 3l', and the guide C2for the other coloured yarn is formed on or attached to a hollow boss 83formed or fitted with a pinion 84 and mounted concentrically on thespindle 8|. These guides are operated by racks 85 and 86 slidablymounted in guides 8f and S8 on the bracket and actuated by levers 89 andSi), similar to those employed for actuating the rods 33, 351, from camssuch as @i on the cam drum Si). The guide C3 for the splicing yarn isformed on or attached to a boss 92 (Figure i3) furnished with an arm 93(Figure ll) and rotatably mounted on the spindle 8l between the pinions82 and 84. The guide C3 is controlled from the associated grippingdevice B1 by means of a cam lever 94 which is pivoted at 95 on thebracket so as to be engaged by the neck of the device and connected tothe arm 93 by means of a pin and slot. rThe cam lever 9-'3 may be movedpositively in each direction by the gripping device B1 as the latter ismoved from and back to the non-feeding position, or it may be moved inone direction by a spring and in the other direction by the saidgripping device. The cam drum 8G may be operated in any suitable manner,e. g., racked by pawl and ratchet mechanism controlled from the timingmechanism of the machine, so that by appropriate prearrangement of thecams and timing of the drum the striping mechanism and the splicingmechanism will be operated at different times and also renderedoperative and inoperative periodically according to requirements. Thus,when the gripping device B2 associated with the striping guides C1 andC2 is moved from the non-feeding position the yarn held thereby is takento the needles and the corresponding guide, operated by the relevantrack and pinion mechanism, is also turned towards the needles. When thesaid device is returned to the non-feeding position the other guide,operated by the associated rack and pinion mechanism, is turned awayfrom the needles in time to present its yarn to the returning bill whichclips and holds the yarn, as hereinbefore described. Likewise, when thegripping device B1 holding the splicing yarn is moved to take the yarnto the needles, the associated guide C3 operated by the intermediateconnections is turned towards the needles, and during reverse movementof the gripping device B1 the guide C3 is turned away from the needlesso as to present the splicing yarn for re-engagement by the grippingdevice. To enable both of the striping guides C1 and C2 momentarily tooccupy the feeding position and to present their yarns in the same planefor re-engagement by the gripping device B2 one of the guides is madeyieldable or is yieldingly mounted and cam means are provided fordeflecting this guide as it approaches the feeding position before theother guide vacates it. Conveniently, and as shown Figure 13, the guideCl carried by the spindle 8| is pivotally mounted on or in the latter inconnection with a tension spring 95 located in a hollow part la of thespindle, and a cam formation is provided on this guide, or on the otherguide C2, whereby, as the pivoted guide Cl approaches the feedingposition, it is tilted, and when the guide C2 vacates the feedingposition its place is taken by the pivoted guide C1 moving under theiniiuence of the spring 95.

The cam slots formed in the bracket for controlling the movements of thegripping devices B1 and B2 are indicated at 331 and 3d respectively. Y

Suitable mechanism may be employed in conjunction with the hereinbeforedescribed splicing mechanism for taking up slack in the splicing yarnduring narrowing and widening actions in the production of heel and toepouches.

There may be provided adjacent to the feeding location, e. g., on theaforesaid bracket, a pin or projection (not shown) for contact with theyarn taken to the needles by the gripping device, or each grippingdevice when there is more than one, so that yarn running between theoperative guide and the needles is maintained close up to the needles tofacilitate its reception by the needles.

In order to avoid as far as possible the appearance of loose ends ofyarn in the knitted fabric there may also be pro-vided for the yarn, oreach yarn, to be supplied to the needles a dropper or take-up member(also not shown) adapted to act upon the yarn, under the influence ofgravity or a spring, between the guide and the needles, whereby when theyarn taken to the needles is freed from the gripping device, thedroppper or take-up member functions to draw the loose portion backsomewhat so that the iirst needle to take it does so as near as possibleto the free end. A stop may be provided for limiting the movement of thedropper or take-up member to the extent required to achieve this result.

The invention is applicable to multi-feeder as well as single feedercircular knitting machines and is this respect may be applied to one, ormore, or each of the feeders.

Moreover, mechanism according to the invention may be applied tocircular rib knitting machines of the cylinder and dial type and of thedouble axially opposed cylinder type as well as to plain machines, forproducing fabric in continuous lengths for manufacture into garments, orfor producing knitted articles, such as stockings, half hose and socks,or garments or garment lengths, either separately or in stringformation. In the application of the invention to rib knitting machinesthe yarn supplying,T means may be arranged so as to introduce yarneither to the rib needles or to the plain needles.

Furthermore, the improved yarn supplying means may be applied tocircular knitting machines of the stationary cylinder type as well as tomachines of the rotary cylinder type, and, by suitable adaptation andarrangement of operating means, to fiat knitting machines having eitherlatch or bearded needles.

What we claim then is:

1. For operation at a feeder of a knitting maV chine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a movable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, means for moving saiddevice transversely with respect to the needles suchwise as to take theheld yarn to and lay it across the stem of appropriate needles, andmeans for subsequently returning the device to its original positionwith movement across the needle stems to re-engage the yarn when thesupply of that yarn to the needles is to be interrupted.

2. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a movable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, said device consistingof relatively movable parts suchwise that it can be opened and closed,means for moving said device transversely with respect to the needleswhile in a closed condition to take yarn to grip the yarn near the limitof its return movement.

3. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a movable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, said device consistingof relatively movable parts suchwise that it can be opened and closed,means for moving said device transversely with respect to the nee-'.dles suchwise as to take the held yarn to and lay it across the stemsof appropriate needles, means for subsequently returning the device toits original position to re-engage the yarn when the supply of that yarnto the needles is to be interrupted, the return movement also beingacross the stems of the needles, and means for automatically opening andclosing the device to enable it to release and grip the yarn atappropriate times. f v

4. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a movable'gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, said device consistingof relatively movable parts suchwise that it can be opened and closed,means for moving said device transversely with respect to the needlessuchwise as to take the held yarn to and lay it across the stems ofappropriate needles, means for subsequently returning the device to itsoriginal position to re-engage the yarn when the supply of that yarn tothe needles is to be interrupted, the return movement also` being acrossthe stems of the needles, means for automatically opening and closingthe device to enable it to release and grip the yarn at appropriatetimes, and provision for clipping the reengaged yarn when the grippingdevice closes upon it. f

5. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a movable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, said device beingconstituted-by a bill consisting of relatively movable parts capable ofopening and closing to release and to engage and clip the yarn, acarrier for said bill, a bracket in which said carrier is movablymounted, means for moving the carrier in such a way that the bill takesthe held yarn to appropriate needles, means for subsequently moving thecarrier in the reverse direction to return the device to its originalposition for 11e-engagement with the yarn when the supply of that yarntothe needles is to be interrupted, and means for automatically openingand closing the bill to enable it to release and to engage and clip thesaid yarn at appropriate times.

6.For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidable gripping device adapted normally to hold -yarn in a non-feedingposition, means for moving said device transversely with respect to theneedles suchwise as to take the held yarn to and lay it across the stemsof appropriate needles, means for subsequently returning the device toits original position to re-engage the yarn when the supply of that yarnto the needles is to be interrupted, the return movement also beingacross the stems of the needles, and a yarn guide through which the yarnruns after it has been introduced to and taken by the needles.

'7. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equpped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a Inovable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, means for moving saiddevice transversely with respect to the needles suchwise as to take theheld yarn to and lay it across the stems of appropriate needles, meansfor subsequently returning the device to its original position tore-engage the yarn when the supply of that yarn to the needles is to beinterrupted, the return movement also being across the stems of theneedles, a movable yarn guide through which the yarn runs after it hasbeen introduced to and taken by the needles, and means for operating thesaid guide suchwise as to move it from the non-feeding position to afeeding position, and vice versa, in timed relation with the movementsof the gripping device so that the length of yarn extending between theguide and the gripping device is laid close to the stems of the needlesand the length of yarn running between the guide and the needles isdisposed in a favourable position for re-engagement by the grippingdevice when it and the guide revert to the non-feeding position.

8. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a movable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, means for moving saiddevice to take the held yarn to appropriate needles, means forsubsequently returning the device to its original position to re-engagethe yarn when the supply of that yarn to the needles is to beinterrupted, and means for so controlling the gripping device that inmoving away from the non-feeding position it rst moves across the stemsof the needles and then towards the latter, whereas during its returnmovement said device moves rst away from and then across the needles.

9. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a movable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, a member for carryingsaid device, a bracket in which said carrier member is arranged forcombined sliding and turning movement, means foreffecting such movementofthe carrier member in one direction to move the gripping device sothat it takes the held yarn to appropriate needles, and means forsubsequently eifecting the aforesaid combined movement of the carriermember in the reverse direction whereby the gripping device is returnedto its original position to re-engage the yarn when the supply of thatyarn to the needles is to be interrupted.

10. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a movable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, said device beingconstituted by a bill consisting of relatively movable parts capable ofopening and closing to release and to engage and clip the yarn, acarrier for said bill, a bracket in which said carrier is movablymounted, a spring associated with the carrier for moving the latter insuch a way that the bill takes the held yarn to appropriate needles, cammeans and intermediate members for subsequently moving the carrier inthe reverse direction to return the device to its original position forre-engagement with the yarn when the supply of that yarn to the needlesis to be interrupted, and means for automatically opening and closingthe bill to enable it to release and to engage and clip the said yarn atappropriate times.

11. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a movable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, means for moving saiddevice to take the held yarn to appropriate needles, means forsubsequently returning the device toits original position to re-engagethe yarn when the supply of that yarn to the needles is to beinterrupted, a movable yarn guide through which the yarn runs after ithas been introduced to and taken by the needles, and intermediategearing between the gripping device and the yarn guide whereby thelatter is operated suchwise as to move it from the non-feeding positionto a feeding position, and vice versa, in timed relation with themovements of the gripping device so that the length of yarn extendingbetween the guide and the gripping device is laid close to the stems ofthe needles and the length of yarn running between the guide and theneedles is disposed in a favourable position for re-engagement by thegripping device when it and the guide revert to the non-feedingposition.

12. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a movable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, said device beingconstituted by a bill consisting oi relatively movable parts capable ofopening and closing to release and to engage and clip the yarn, acarrier rod for the bill which latter is formed with a neck extendingangularly from said rod, a bracket wherein the carrier rod is slidablyand rotatably mounted and having a cam slot t'n'cugh which the aforesaidneck projects, said slot for a portion of its length extending straightin the longitudinal direction of the bracket while the remainder iscurved so that it deviates from the longitudinal direction and extendstowards the needle circle, means for moving the carrier rod in onedirection so that the bill first move: across the stems of the needlesand then towards the latter to take the held yarn thereto, means forsubsequently moving the carrier rod in the reverse direction to returnthe bill to its original position by a movement rst away from and thenacross the needles so thatl said bill will re-engage the yarn when thesupply thereof to the needles is to be interrupted, and means forautomatically opening and closing the bill to enable it to re- :ill

lease and to engage and clip the said yarn at appropriate times.

13. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a movable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, said device beingconstituted by a bill consisting of relatively movable parts capable ofopening and closing to release and to engage and clip the yarn, acarrier rod for the bill which latter is formed with a neck extendingangularly from said rod, a bracket wherein the carrier rod is slidablyand rotatably mounted and having a cam slotl through which the aforesaidneck projects, said slot for a portion of its length extending straightin the longitudinal direction of the bracket While the remainder iscurved so that it deviates from the longitudinal direction and extendstowards the needle circle, means for moving the carrier rod in onedirection so that the bill rst moves across the stems of the needles andthen towards the latter to take the held yarn thereto, means forsubsequently moving the carrier rod in the reverse direction to returnthe bill to its original position by a movement rst away from and thenacross the needles so that said bill will reengage the yarn when thesupply thereof to the needle; is to be interrupted, and iixed stops onthe bracket at opposite ends of the cam slot for contact with theappropriate part of the bill so as to open and close the same, for thepurpose specied.

14. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped Witnindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in combination, a movable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, said device beingconstituted by a bill consisting of relatively movable parts capable ofopening and closing to release and to engage and clip the yarn, acarrier for said bill, a bracket in which said carrier is movablymounted, means for moving the carrier in such a way that the bill takesthe held yarn to appropriate needles, means for subsequently moving thecarrier in the reverse direction to return the device to its originalposition for reengagement with the yarn when the supply of that yarn tothe needles is to be interrupted, means for automatically opening andclosing the bill to enable it to release and to engage and clip the saidyarn at appropriate times, a movable yarn guide through which the yarnruns after it has been introduced to and taken by the needles, a spindlecarrying said guide, a pinion fast on said spindle, and al toothedsector arranged in mesh with said pinion which sector is pivoted on thebracket and adapted to be influenced by contact with a portion of theaforesaid carrier. the arrangement being such that the yarn guide ismoved from the non-feeding position to a feeding position, and viceversa, in timed relation with the movements of the gripping device sothat the length of yarn extending' between the guide and gripping deviceis laid close to the stems of the needles and the length of yarn runningbetween the guide and the needles is disposed in a favourable positionfor re-engagement by the gripping device when it and the guide revert tothe non-feeding position.

l5. Yarn supplying mechanism according to claim 14, wherein the saidtoothed sector is spring-controlled and formed with a hump disposed inthe path of the carrier, for the purpose specied.

16. For operation at a feeder of a knitting machine equipped withindependent needles, mechanism for supplying yarn to said needles, saidmechanism comprising, in com-bination, a movable gripping device adaptednormally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position, said device beingconstituted by a bill consisting of relatively movable parts capable ofopening and closing to release and to engage and clip the yarn, acarrier rod for the bill which latter is formed with a neck extendingangularly from said rod, a bracket wherein the carrier rod is slidablyand rotatably mounted and having a cam slot through which the aforesaidneck projects, said slot for a portion of its length extending straightin the longitudinal direction of the bracket while the remainder iscurved so that it deviates from the longitudinal direction and extendstowards the needle circle, a compression spring housed in a bore in thecarrier rod, a socket against which said spring abuts, a sleeve appliedto the bracket and in which the socket is fitted, said compressionspring constituting means for moving the carrier rod in one direction sothat the bill rst moves across the stems of the needles and then towardsthe latter to take the held yarn thereto, a pivoted lever for actionupon the carrier rod, cams for actuating said lever, said cam-actuatedpivoted lever constituting means for subsequently moving the carrier rodin the reverse direction to return the bill to its original position bya movement first away from and then across the needles so that said billwill re-engage the yarn when the supply thereof to the needles is to beinterrupted, and

`means for automatically opening and closing the bill to enable it torelease and to engage and clip the said yarn at appropriate times.

17. A mechanism for supplying yarns interchangeably to independentneedles of a knitting machine, comprising, in combination, a movablegripping device adapted normally to hold yarn in a non-feeding position,means for moving said device to take the held yarn to appropriateneedles, means for subsequently returning the device to its originalposition to re-engage the yarn when the supply of that yarn to theneedles is to be interrupted, two movable yarn guides for co-operationwith said movable gripping device, a pivoted spindle by which one ofsaid guides is carried, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said spindle andby which the other of said guides is carried, pinions, provided on thespindle and sleeve respectively, pivoted toothed sectors, one in meshwith each pinion, a pair of rotatable cams for actuating the toothedsectors, and pawl and ratchet gearing for effecting rotation of the camsstep by step, all for the purposes herein specified.

18. Mechanism according to claim 17, wherein each of the cams has twoconvex peripheral portions and intermediate concave peripheral portions,and said cams are so arranged relatively that the convex portions of onecorrespond in angular position with the concave portions but overlap theconvex portions of the other, for the purpose specied.

19. A combined two colour striper and splicing mechanism for a knittingmachine equipped with independent needles, comprising a movable grippingdevice adapted normally to hold one of two coloured yarns in anon-feeding position, another similar gripping device for normallyholding a splicing yarn in a non-feeding position, respectively separatemeans for moving said gripping devices independently to take a held yarnto appropriate needles, means for subsequently returning each of thedevices to its original position to re-engage the appropriate yarn whenthe supply of the latter to the needles is to be interrupted, twomovable yarn guides in association with the first mentioned grippingdevice and through which the coloured yarns run, means for operating thesaid two guides suchwise as to move them alternately from thenon-feeding position to a feeding position, and vice versa, in timedrelation with the movements of said rst mentioned gripping device, athird yarn guide in association with the second mentioned grippingdevice and through which runs t-he splicing yarn, and means foroperating said third guide to move it towards and away from the needlesin timed relation with the movements of the second mentioned grippingdevice.

20. Mechanism according to claim 19, wherein the three guides arerotatably arranged co-axially for movement towards and away from theneedles.

21. A combined two colour striper and splicing mechanism for a knittingmachine equipped with independent needles, comprising a movable grippingdevice adapted normally to hold one of two coloured yarns in anon-feeding position, another similar gripping device for normallyholding a splicing yarn in a non-feeding position, respectively separatemeans for moving said gripping devices independently to take a held yarnto appropriate needles, means for subsequently returning each of thedevices to its original position to re-engage the appropriate yarn whenthe supply of the latter to the needles is to be interrupted, twomovable yarn guides in association with the rst mentioned grippingdevice and through which the coloured yarns run, a rotatable spindle towhich one of the guides for the coloured yarns is attached, a pinionfast on said spindle, a hollow boss which is formed with the other ofthe two guides for the coloured yarns and mounted concentrically on thespindle, a pinion provided on the hollow boss, slidable racks in meshwith the pinions, means for operating said racks suchwise as to causethe corresponding guides to move alternately from the non-feedingposition to a feeding position, and vice versa, in timed relation withthe movements of said i'lrst mentioned gripping device, a third yarnguide for the splicing yarn, which guide is provided on a boss furnishedwith an arm and rotatably mounted on the spindle between the aforesaidpinions, and a pivoted cam lever which is connected to the arm andadapted to be actuated by contact with an appropriate portion of thesaid second mentioned gripping device whereby the third guide isoperated in timed relation with the latter.

THOMAS CHARLES BROMLEY. ARTHUR SHORTLAND.

